What's it been doing for 10 years
3
out of 10

This is not that much of an improvement on the normal Don Papa. If anything it seems they've just added some darker sugar and black food colouring. Again, the marketing is excellent and if you like the bottle design, go for it. Just don't expect anything other than a sugar syrup.

N- So the Don on the label got older, but the lizard on the head still remain young. Prelude with good ashy notes, darker with cocoa, as well rustier and mineral, bitter sweet, spent match stick and whiff of phenol from the wood. (18/25)

P- Sweet menthol, toothpaste, dust of pepper and herbs. More muscle with higher abv, dark coco and vanilla. The citrus from the 7YO is missing here, hence heavier and syrupy. (16/25)

F- Short-medium, boiled spices with more dryness offering a better mouth feel and make it for a better sip, though still sugary sweet and creamy. (17/25)

Balanced:- Surely not a serious and complex sipping rum, but not bad for a casual sips, would be nice with ice, by the pool, under the sun. Like the cocoa. (18/25)

Good but not great.
7
out of 10

For the money, I was expecting to be blown away considering how much I like the 7 year. Much darker than the regular Don Papa, it’s rich, sweet and very drinkable, but for the money I’d buy something else next time. Wish I’d known about this site before buying as there are many others I’d like to add to my collection.